Aug 08 Obama's strategy is to contain extremists in Iraq By Robert Burns, Lara Jakes, Associated Press Obama insists he will not send American ground troops back to Iraq after having withdrawn them in 2011, fulfilling a campaign promise. Still, even the limited airstrikes against the vicious insurgency show the president's conviction that the U.S. military cannot… Continue reading
Aug 08 U.S. launches more airstrikes in Iraq By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The attacks near the city of Irbil were carried out by armed drones and Navy fighter jets, said the Defense Department's press secretary, Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. Continue reading
Aug 08 U.S. condemns renewed violence in Israel-Gaza By Associated Press The White House is condemning the renewed rocket fire in the conflict between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip and urging both sides to cease hostilities immediately. Continue reading
Aug 08 After meeting with Kerry, Afghan candidates agree to resolve dispute By Matthew Lee, Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan's feuding presidential candidates agreed Friday to resolve their election dispute and said they would set an inauguration date before the end of August. The breakthrough came as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry opened a second… Continue reading
Aug 08 UN declares international state of emergency following ebola outbreak By Colleen Shalby The World Health Organization on Friday declared an international public health emergency in the wake of West Africa’s Ebola outbreak. Continue reading
Aug 08 FAA bans U.S. airlines from flying over Iraq By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Federal aviation authorities are prohibiting U.S. airlines and other commercial carriers from flying over Iraq, saying hostilities there could threaten safety. Continue reading
Aug 08 Fleeing Iraqis are in 'extreme fear' and need basic supplies By Larisa Epatko The United States overnight airdropped food and water to Iraqis in the northern part of the country who are trapped by Islamic extremists. Those who were able to escape to safer areas of the Kurdish region “are in extreme fear. Continue reading
Aug 08 Hagel: U.S. airstrikes can effectively target militants in Iraq By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press NEW DELHI -- The U.S. launched its first airstrikes into Iraq Friday as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned the U.S. military has enough intelligence to clearly single out and hit Islamic militants if they threaten U.S. interests or the… Continue reading
Aug 07 President Obama authorizes airstrikes on militants in Iraq By Julie Pace, Robert Burns, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced Thursday night he had authorized the Pentagon to launch targeted airstrikes if needed to protect Americans from Islamic militants in northern Iraq and help Iraqi security forces protect civilians under siege, threatening to revive… Continue reading
Aug 07 Watch PBS NewsHour | Full Episode | August 7, 2014 By PBS News Hour Thursday on the NewsHour, the Obama administration considered military options to support refugees fleeing Islamic militants in Iraq. Also: Russia bans Western food imports for at least a year, reconsidering the effect of crime and punishment on America’s jails and… Continue watching